New Soccer Info: Hot Off the Burner

If you’re committed to becoming an top level soccer player, you’ll always look for ways to improve your game. And in a sense, your development as a soccer player will never really end. There will always be new techniques, strategies and moves to learn. There are always weakness to correct.

The greatest players always find something to improve in their game. The best players always went to learn new soccer skills and moves. Even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo want to learn new skills or improve upon different aspects of their game. Take Messi, who's now trying to become an expert dead ball specialist. The best soccer players are always the players who are staying after practice to work on a new skill.

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Amateurs practice until they get it right - pros practice until they can't get it wrong.

There’s a constant influx of new soccer information across the Internet, as people share their soccer experiences and lessons learned. For those who are eager to add a new twist to their play, and pick up another soccer skill, then this is the spot where you can access the most recently added soccer tips and tricks.

Soccer Training Ground

In the videos below, world class players like Kaka, Robinho, and Ibrahimovic show you how to make those crucial passes and do those amazing soccer moves or tricks.

To start, let's take a look at some keys for young soccer players who are moving from the youth level to the elite level, and eventually want to take that next step and become a professional soccer player someday.

In soccer though, the same rules that apply to a small sided game on a Sunday afternoon, or a youth soccer game, are the same rules that apply in a English Premier League or La Liga match that is at a 100 mile hour pace in front of thousands of screaming fans. These are same rules should apply if you want to become a top soccer player. It's about respecting the game and playing the game the way it should be played.

The above list is just a start to the keys to playing great soccer, below are some other aspects of the game that you should learn.

Soccer is a Simple Game

Soccer is the beautiful game but it is also a simple game - the two work together. The simpler the game the more beautiful it is. This simplicty and beauty is clear when you see Barcelaon play their tiki taka passing game. Where Barcelona strings sometimes twenty or thirty passes together and the other team's lucky if they possess the ball for even part of the game. And now Bayern Munich have copied Barcelona's possession style of football since Pep Guardiola took over, sometimes keeping the ball for over 70% of the game.

The beauty of the game is seen when goals are scored after five or six one and two touch passes. Think Spain in the 2010 World Cup with Xavi, Iniesta, and David Villa working together to keep the ball and then produce the game winner. These three players combined for some incredible goals during the tournament and helped their country win the World Cup for the first time.

How do you make the game of soccer simple?

First, you have to have perfect control of the ball with both feet and all parts of your body. You're able to receive a ball and control it with your right foot, your left or your chest and so on. So accomplishing this comes with practicing juggling and smacking a ball again a wall so your first touch is sharp.

Next, you have to play the ball quickly and know where your teammates are on the field - it's all about playing the ball in one or two touches. The game of soccer is centered on playing the ball and moving into space. Pass and move is a refrain that's heard at an under 12 training session and at a Real Madrid practice coached by Jose Mourinho. The ability to play one and two touch soccer comes with playing on a daily basis, whether it's with friends or at your team's practice. And then it's about trying to play with against and with soccer players who are better than you are - this way you will get better.

Soccer Specialization

While you want to keep the game of soccer simple, play one and two touch soccer, it pays to become an expert at certain parts of the game.

And that specialization, whether it's a talent for dribbling, crossing, making that killer pass, or playing defense, gives you the ability to make things happen and change the game. Top players have some skill that sets them apart from all the other players and changes the game.

It could be the skill and willingness to take players on in the attacking third - an ability to beat players on the dribble. Think Cristiano Ronaldo. Think Robinho. Think Neymar. Or, maybe it's the ability to make that long diagonal pass across the field. Think Xabi Alonso and Pirlo, two players who can hit the long ball like few others. Maybe it's the ability to cross the ball like Beckham. Or maybe it's the ability to whip in a cross after beating your man down the line. Maybe it's the ability to dribble past players and cut inside to score. Think Arjen Robben when he's got the ball at his favored left foot. It could be the ability to tackle hard and win the ball, like Carlos Puyol.

What skill do you have that sets you apart from everyone else? What skill do you love to do that you can perfect?

Really, it's about the extra special skill that sets you apart. Think Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has tons of skill on the soccer ball and scores tons of amazing goals, but loves to show off his karate like passing ability.

Take a look at Ibrahimovic's incredible back heel karate pass when he played for Inter Milan.

Soccer Fitness

And finally, you have to be fit. If you're not in shape you can't make those runs or passes when the game moves into the last ten minutes. If you're not fit then you can't keep possesion of the soccer ball in the later stages of a game or score that game winning goal. If you're not fit you just won't be sharp and will make mistakes. Getting in shape is crucial for soccer players who want to play at a high level.

In the end though, it's all about desire and passion. The desire to win. The desire to get better. A passion for the game. The desire to work for your team. The desire to get better every time you step on the field. The passion to play soccer day in and day out so you keep getting better. If you put the work in on the practice field you'll see rewards in the actual games.

Raise Your Soccer Game

Below are some links to other pages that will give you some tips and ideas on how to improve your game and reach the highest level possible in the game of socccer: